The film examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows, who wants to escape the social restrictions imposed on widows, and a man… MoreThe film examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows, who wants to escape the social restrictions imposed on widows, and a man who is from the highest caste and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.

Unfolds with the clean, simple lines of a fairy tale, and if the characters initially seem to be too black-or-white to be believable, the moral complexity of the story reveals itself in a gradual, subtle manner.

Reminds us that Mehta is a filmmaker of courage -- she refused to abandon this film even after fundamentalist protestors shut down the production in India -- and singular style, telling stories that have never been told on screen.

There's few movies that can ride on purely beautiful cinematography in order to tell a story, but this certainly does. The message of this movie is so well… MoreThere's few movies that can ride on purely beautiful cinematography in order to tell a story, but this certainly does. The message of this movie is so well told through its images that it quite possibly could have been utterly silent and still effective. Now the basic story and characters are okay, but they wouldn't be half as effective if they weren't given such a great backdrop. The issue is important, but not something an American audience would necessarily need a feature length to understand. For a two hour movie that essentially deals with one sole issue, it can be a bit lengthy and unevenly paced, but I would never go as far as to say that it was bad or boring. It also has quite possibly one of the most oddly humorous moments ever brought onscreen concerning a fart joke and a child stomping on a fat woman's back.

Daniel Perry

An important film to see if not all that good, just barely socially conscious and iconoclastic enough to overcome its lack of a coherent story. This is very… MoreAn important film to see if not all that good, just barely socially conscious and iconoclastic enough to overcome its lack of a coherent story. This is very sensitive filmmaking and the acting (particularly the child actor Sarala) is quite good, but the film is hard to watch due to its incredibly slow pacing. Stick with it, the second half is good (until the cop-out ending which I won't spoil), but there's just not enough there to overcome the excessive "build-up" of the first half. A letdown, overall.

Sophie Burgess

A good lovely movie with a cutesy story line and great acting but it wasn't intriguing enough. You didn't want to watch it you just did. The setting… MoreA good lovely movie with a cutesy story line and great acting but it wasn't intriguing enough. You didn't want to watch it you just did. The setting was awesme though.

William Goss

Intermittently melodramatic and inevitably concerned with its message, yet Mehta handles the material well without being too heavy-handed.

Cynthia S.

Ooooooooh. This is a most WONDERFUL movie! The setting is beautiful. The story is amazing and very moving. The acting superb. This is my idea of a PERFECT film.… MoreOoooooooh. This is a most WONDERFUL movie! The setting is beautiful. The story is amazing and very moving. The acting superb. This is my idea of a PERFECT film. This movie was nominated for a 2007 Academy Award. I dont understand why this movie wouldnt have won hands down. Truly, truly wonderful.

Leigh Ryan

Brilliant.

Jose Zamudio

It was a very good movie. It has a very interesting story, very touching and emotional, a view of how ancient hindu traditions are still standing and how people… MoreIt was a very good movie. It has a very interesting story, very touching and emotional, a view of how ancient hindu traditions are still standing and how people live with them and the repercussions in their life. It has a solw rythm but that doesn't mean that its a boring film. A movie with such beautiful landscapes. A very good cast with great and strong performances from everyone

Mike T.

One of the best of the year. Water is beautifully shot and directed; a film whose subject matter would not have been as carefully handled under American… MoreOne of the best of the year. Water is beautifully shot and directed; a film whose subject matter would not have been as carefully handled under American direction.

Jeremy Smith

Heart braking and fascinating look at the terrible life of widows in India.

Bruce Bruce

Awsome Movie, Tells about widows in India, some are widows at age 9, Great Story a must see.

Panta Oz

Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray, John Abraham, and Sarala Kariyawasam performed roles of their lives in this great artistic achievement of Deepa Mehta... Hard to watch,… MoreSeema Biswas, Lisa Ray, John Abraham, and Sarala Kariyawasam performed roles of their lives in this great artistic achievement of Deepa Mehta... Hard to watch, heavy on the audience but with hope and full of love... One of my favourite movies this year!

Sarah Prisbylla

This was a good film to watch, because I had no idea of anything about the way widows are treated. It's just shocking because it's so far removed from… MoreThis was a good film to watch, because I had no idea of anything about the way widows are treated. It's just shocking because it's so far removed from the culture that I'm used to. As a great film, it just wasn't up there, but it did bring an important issue to light.